Bangladesh reported four more child deaths associated with confirmed measles or measles-like illness on September 5, raising the combined toll since March 15 to 991, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. The nationwide update also recorded 843 new suspected cases and 74 laboratory-confirmed infections during the preceding 24 hours, showing that transmission remains intense despite a months-long response.
The health directorate said 100 of the deaths followed laboratory-confirmed measles and 891 involved children with suspected measles symptoms. Cumulative figures reached 19,641 confirmed infections and 163,105 suspected cases. Authorities have kept the two categories separate because most illnesses and deaths in the larger total have not received laboratory confirmation.
Hospitals have admitted 143,214 patients with suspected measles since mid-March, while 137,921 have recovered and been discharged, the directorate reported. Anadolu Agency said 464 of the combined deaths occurred in Dhaka division, underscoring the heavy burden in the densely populated capital region. Measles spreads through the air and respiratory droplets and can cause pneumonia, diarrhoea, brain inflammation, blindness and death.
The World Health Organization assessed the national risk as high earlier in the outbreak, citing widespread transmission, large immunity gaps and infections among children too young for routine vaccination. WHO linked the resurgence to a nationwide measles-rubella vaccine stockout in 2024 and 2025, gaps in routine immunization and the absence of regular nationwide supplementary campaigns since 2020.
Bangladesh began an emergency measles-rubella campaign in high-risk districts on April 5 and later expanded it nationwide. Health authorities have immunized nearly 19.48 million children through the special programme in addition to routine services, according to Anadolu. The government also plans another nationwide special drive later in September as it seeks to reach children missed by earlier rounds.
WHO recommends sustained, even coverage of at least 95 percent with both measles vaccine doses, stronger surveillance and rapid clinical response. Bangladesh has activated rapid-response teams, improved hospital readiness and supplied vitamin A for suspected and confirmed patients. The latest deaths nevertheless show that closing remaining immunity gaps and distinguishing confirmed measles from similar illnesses will be central to controlling the outbreak.
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